The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the Twenty-First Century / Edition 1

by Brian O'Neill

Overview

This isn't so much a history of Pittsburgh as it is a biography. Sometimes we're so afraid of what others think, we're afraid to declare who we are. This city is not midwestern. It's not East Coast. It's just Pittsburgh, and there's no place like it. That's both its blessing and its curse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780887485091
Publisher:	Carnegie-Mellon University Press
Publication date:	09/04/2009
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Brian O’Neill is head of research and graduate studies in the Faculty of Applied Arts at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Table of Contents

Preface • The Paris of Appalachia • Steeltown Blues • The Third Bear • Don't Mess with Pittsburgh • "Hunky Soul Food" • The Geography of Friendship • Saving the Best • Thanks, I'd Rather Walk • Pirates and Steelers • Coming Home • I Love Pittsburgh Like a Brother • Pittsburgh: You're My Density • Fractured Fairy Tale • Kilbuck Loses in a Landslide • The Whitest Large Metro Area in the Country • The Deer People Acknowledgments • Endnotes • Author

What People are Saying About This

Paul O'Neill

"Brian has written a lovely paean to Pittsburgh; that is: a joyously exultant song or hymn of praise, tribute, thanksgiving, or triumph. Pittsburghers should read it; they will find themselves in it. Prospective Pittsburghers should read it; they will find a depiction of soul that eludes the real estate agents."

Howard Fineman

"Like a great conversation on a Pittsburgh tavern barstool. With sympathy and humor, but also with realism and facts, O'Neill captures the essence of my hometown. The region long ago lost its industrial preeminence, and, as O'Neill explains, has been abused by politicians and planners for decades. And yet, almost miraculously, Pittsburgh's unique culture—and yes, dramatic beauty—are more vivid and inspiring than ever. So are the funny, unassuming, self-critical and brave citizens whom O'Neill portrays. They are the real reasons why Pittsburgh will always be Pittsburgh."

Annie Dillard

"Brian O'Neill is a wonderful writer. He analyzes perfectly Pittsburgh's unerring habit of screwing itself. He loves all the right stuff. I loved his book."

Peter Leo

"Every city needs a loving interpreter who tells the stories that go to its heart and soul and shape its identity. Pittsburgh is lucky to have Brian O'Neill who revels in city life and is alert to the city's maddening insecurities. All of us who love Pittsburgh and think it should shape up immediately will enjoy and identify with this wonderful book."